Huntington Burn Injury Lawyer
Most people experience minor burns during their lives and are often back to normal in a few days. But when someone suffers from a severe burn or widespread burns, it can have a huge negative effect on daily life, causing intense pain, high medical bills, and an inability to work. If one of these burns happens due to the negligence of another person or entity, the injured person may be able to seek financial compensation for their injuries and losses through a personal injury lawsuit. A Huntington burn injury lawyer can be your most important asset on the road to recovery.
Common Causes of Severe Burns and Burn Degrees
No matter how careful someone tries to be, there are a number of ways that someone can receive a burn. Auto accidents, electrical accidents, scalding water or other liquid spills, home and apartment fires, fires at public places, and defective products are all ways that people can suffer one. Burns are classified by degree: first degree burns affecting the top layer of skin only, second degree burns affecting the outer and underlying layer of skin, and third-degree burns damaging deep skin tissue and nerve endings.
Most burns that warrant legal action are major or severe, which means that the person has suffered a third-degree burn or widespread second or third-degree burns. These injuries require immediate and urgent medical care and can result in permanent scarring, nerve damage, and physical disabilities.
Personal Injury Claims After Burn Injuries
Exactly what kind of lawsuit a burn sufferer should file depends on where the accident took place and who or what caused it. If someone is injured on the job, they will usually first need to go through the workers’ compensation process before considering other options. If the burn is directly related to the failure of a consumer good, the cause of action will likely be a product liability suit.
If the cause of the accident is not working or product-related, the most likely legal option is to seek damages through a personal injury suit based on the negligence theory. To prove a negligence claim, the plaintiff needs to show that the at-fault party owed them a legal duty to avoid causing harm, that the party violated that duty, and that the violation caused the burn and resulted in financial loss. A personal injury attorney familiar with burn lawsuits can advise the injured person on which lawsuit applies to their situation.
Recoverable Damages in Burn Injury Claims
Severe burn injuries often require extensive medical care and future treatments that can stretch on years after the initial accident. A burn plaintiff has the right to seek financial recovery for both past medical bills and future medical needs related to their injury. They can also seek funds for lost wages and retraining, as well as damages for physical and emotional pain and suffering they endured due to the burn. The best way to gauge how much to seek in damages often means consulting with an attorney with expertise in trying and settling burn injury lawsuits. They will know the right experts to consult and what evidence is needed to prove damages.
Seek Legal Help
Severe burns can cause the sufferer both short and long-term pain. If you are dealing with the aftermath of a burn accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your road to recovery. The right attorney can talk you through the process, gather the right evidence, and be your advocate every step of the way. Contact a Huntington burn injury lawyer to discuss your case today.
